"Congressman Mike Simpson is a proven conservative and 'Idaho tough.' But some groups from outside Idaho have decided to attack Mike and distort his conservative record. He needs our help to fight back and set the record straight," Romney says in a statement posted on Simpson's campaign website.
"This stalwart conservative leader shares our values. That's why I am proud to endorse his re-election," Romney adds.

Simpson is facing a primary challenge from Bryan Smith, an attorney who claims that the eight-term congressman is not conservative enough and is soft on spending. Smith is backed by the anti-tax group Club for Growth, which has a history of backing conservative primary challengers.

As he fights back against his primary challenger, Simpson has been touting his seniority and highlighting what he says is a conservative voting record.

Simpson represents Idaho's second Congressional District, which stretches from Boise to the borders with Wyoming and Montana and covers the entire eastern and most of the central parts of the state. Romney's backing could especially help in eastern Idaho, which has a large Mormon population.

soundoff(15 Responses)

Sniffit

How dare the sitting POTUS takes sides in a primary!!!! President Landslide should stay out of it!!!

November 18, 2013 02:25 pm at 2:25 pm |

Winston Smith

It seems that Mitt and Ann would be better served if they were to stay out of the public eye for a while. The elections were held many months ago, but there's been few weeks go by where one of them isn't plastered all over the news. Give it a rest. You and your party lost the election. You may have trouble accepting this, but it happened, and it'll happen again in the future because people just do not like the two of you. They do not want you, or your wife representing the nation. Accept this fact and go away. Be adult about the situation, not childish.

November 18, 2013 02:32 pm at 2:32 pm |

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA -aka- Take Back The House -aka- No Redemption Votes

Who died and made Willard kingmaker? Leave that to Rushbo.

November 18, 2013 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |

Rudy NYC

"There's no civil war within the Republican Party."
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You can attribute that quote to any conservative you encounter. It's really up to the establishment Republicans to do something about their Frankenstien monster, The Tea Party. I believe the Tea Party is comproised of many of the same types who called themselves "Minutemen" about a decade ago. Does anyone else remember those folks?

November 18, 2013 02:39 pm at 2:39 pm |

Sniffit

" I believe the Tea Party is comproised of many of the same types who called themselves "Minutemen""

Indeed. Just ask their wives.

November 18, 2013 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |

Sniffit

Don't worry, tomorrow he'll support the other guy. Flip Flopney can't even decide which side of the car elevator to get out of each day.

November 18, 2013 02:50 pm at 2:50 pm |

rs

Not that I am at all certain that Mr. Romney's endorsement is worth much, but this is precisely what the sane side of the GOP must do to get their party back from the radical rabble. This may not win them elections (although I'll bet Idaho is pretty safe...), but it will, no doubt help.

November 18, 2013 02:51 pm at 2:51 pm |

Silva

Romney is lost Men........................ Supporter ! Who ?

November 18, 2013 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |

Sniffit

"Does anyone else remember those folks?"

A Bircher by any other name....

November 18, 2013 02:58 pm at 2:58 pm |

Gurgyl

I am laughing now. CNN got to be crazy to put this 47% Koches again and again. Put Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh etc. Easy for this nation. GOP is dead for another Fifty years in USA. They better come to planet Earth to realize this Earth.

November 18, 2013 02:59 pm at 2:59 pm |

MikeB

An endorsement from Romney should really give a boost – to the guy who Romney didn't endorse.

November 18, 2013 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

anonymous

I sure wish we had a real leader, a competent leader, like Romney in the WHite House right now. Instead we are stuck for 3 more years with a liar 52% of the American people do not trust. The country really screwed up in 2012 but putting this clown back in office. Too many gullible idiots believed his lies. Now we pay the price for 4 more years.

November 18, 2013 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Lynda/Minnesota

@ Rudy NYC who commented to: "There's no civil war within the Republican Party."

"You can attribute that quote to any conservative you encounter."
================

The civil war in the GOP is certainly a well kept secret at CNN, Rudy.

A "Mittens Wins In A Landslide" reality ... so to speak.

Good grief, it isn't as if President and Mrs. Romney haven't been making all the right stops this past few weeks. Especially here at CNN.

November 18, 2013 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |

Al-NY,NY

anonymous
The country really screwed up in 2008 but putting this clown back in office. Too many gullible idiots believed his lies. Now we pay the price for 4 more years.
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See how easy this is???? I suppose you voted for that Mensa member Duh Duh Duh-bya...

November 18, 2013 03:44 pm at 3:44 pm |

ThinkAgain: Hey, GOP, where's our $24 billion reimbursement check?

Guess Mittens is bored with hugging all his money ... either that, or Ann kicked him out of the house because she's tired of him walking around the house in his jammies muttering to himself about those damn 47%-ers ...